Top stories in the papers this week 1 – 7 October 2011
UK Star postpones Irish launch amid confusion; Tesco says Irish market 'struggling to recover'; Musgrave trying to get Superquinn for years, says Martin
Print7 October 2011
1. ShelfLife exclusive:UK Star postpones Irish launch amid confusion
The arrival of the UK Daily Star on ROI newsstands has been delayed for a further week until 17 October. Examining the possibility of ‘Star wars’ between the UK and Irish editions of the paper, ShelfLife publisher John McDonald reports that according to Bob Nuttall, director of circulation at Express Newspapers, the UK version is “an entirely different product” that won’t affect sales of the Irish Daily Star.
2. Tesco says Irish market ‘struggling to recover’ as half-year sales fall 3.4%
Sales at Tesco Ireland stores open for at least a year fell 3.4% in the six months to the end of August, The Irish Times reports. However, total Irish sales grew to 2.6% to €1.5 billion in the period as the company upgraded three stores to superstores and opened three Express convenience stores. Tesco claimed the like-for-like sales decline was the result of food price deflation and lower consumer spending.
3. Musgrave was trying to get hold of Superquinn for years, says Martin
Musgrave chief executive Chris Martin said the company has been trying to get its hands on Superquinn for "many years". The Irish Examiner reports that now the group has said it has received Competition Authority approval for the Superquinn takeover, the challenge is to determine where the brand is going to go. The acquisition "gives significant presence to Musgrave in Dublin," added Musgrave.
4. Businesses oppose plastic bag tax
A UK-wide plastic bag tax could help drive customers away from Northern Ireland’s high streets, a business group has said. The Irish Independent reports the new regulation could produce "further administrative burdens", according to the British Hospitality Association (BHA). The Northern Ireland consultation will run until October 12 and people can make suggestions as to how much they feel the bags should cost.
5. Bewley’s posts pretax profit of €1.74m
Campbell Bewley, the Irish tea and coffee group, made a pretax profit of €1.74 million last year, as revenues recovered 8%. The Irish Times reports the company has also announced the acquisition of British coffee distributor Darlington’s in a bid to expand its business there. After a 13% fall in 2009 – a year spent in “survival mode” – turnover at Bewley’s rose 8% in 2010 to €77.7 million, while pretax profits climbed 4%.
Also:
Receiver aims to recoup €6m from retail network (Irish Independent)
Smart Consumer: Does it make financial sense to do your Christmas shopping now?
John Cradden on the gains that can be made by getting festive in October (Irish Independent)
Westmeath stores scoop top awards at Londis Retailing Excellence Awards (Athlone Advertiser)
Home-spun retailers with bags of vision (Irish Times)
Hughes & Hughes revival stacks up (Irish Times)
A bumper harvest for apple farmers (Wexford People)
Revenue down but worst over for Ireland, says Tesco chief (Irish Independent)
A tasty win for Aldi at food awards (Irish Independent)
Sales fall 3% at Irish Tesco stores (Irish Examiner)
Local spending could create up to 100 jobs (Offaly Express)
A food festival schedule to savour (Irish Examiner)
Tesco squeezed as cutbacks bite (Irish Times)
Tesco figures the worst for two decades (Evening Echo)
Inflation ‘held by food prices’ (Newsletter)
Bid to clarify law on rent reviews (Irish Examiner)
Starbucks shuts its only Munster store (Irish Examiner)
Retailers’ tax ‘consistency needed’ (Irish Independent)
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